Chapter 3

Lucian stopped.

He turned, leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed.

"Seraphina, let me be clear."

His tone went cold.

"Getting your family to pressure me into a proposal won't work."

"You're that desperate to get married?"

"What do you mean 'done'? Is that a threat? Or are you playing hard to get?"

I didn't answer.

He had no idea this dinner had nothing to do with him.

The Sterlings were going to announce that I was giving up my position as heir. That I was joining a classified federal research program. Eight years.

After that, I would disappear. No public appearances. No trace.

The dinner was the Sterlings' way of closing the book.

Telling everyone: Seraphina Sterling is gone. Don't look for her. Don't ask.

But he took it for granted I'd always be there.

His voice went low. Worse than shouting.

"What did your idiot friends put you up to? It has to be this year? Right now? Do you know how busy I am?"

Busy.

He was busy.

Busy on forty-minute "work calls" with Chloe at midnight.

Busy memorizing Chloe's coffee order but forgetting my allergies.

Busy throwing Chloe a birthday party with a balloon wall. Calling her "the team's little ray of sunshine."

His time, his attention, his care. All spoken for.

Just not for me.

"I'm in crunch mode. Three rounds of investors before year-end. Every step matters." He pressed his fingers between his eyes.

"What are you trying to pull?"

"Calm down and think about what you're doing." He turned to leave.

"Lucian."

He stopped.

"You're right. I am playing hard to get."

I looked at his back.

"So. Will you marry me?"